Barbara Andino-Stevenson

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Born in: 1941, San Francisco, USA

Lives in: Lagunitas, CA, USA

Media: Sculpture, Mixed media, Textile Arts, Ceramics

Describe your work in 3 words: Sensuous. Tactile. Evocative

See More Work:  Sweet Spirit Ceramics Center, housed at ArtWorks Downtown (1337 4th St., San Rafael, CA) - YouTube: Barbara Andino-Stevenson

Woman Spirit

"My rich internal life longs to find a form in which it can be seen, felt, and touched. A sculptural alchemist, I work with natural materials--clay, bark, and sometimes stones--enjoying a magical collaboration with these elements. Magic happens when I allow myself to enter the quiet flow where only clay, bark, my eyes, and the skill of my hands reveal the visible from the invisible."

What themes does your work involve?
The female form, death and rebirth, old and worn rather than new and perfect.
Describe your creative process.
A new piece emerges when my internal world is sufficiently stimulated and full. I begin by allowing the material to guide me. I watch and make conscious relationship choices in the forms being created. I know a piece is finished when no further changes need to occur. A series happens when some form that I've created intrigues me enough to find out more.
What influences your work? What inspires you? Why do you make art?
What influences my work is Shamanic and Indigenous art and the forms and lines of Art Deco. I am inspired by the energy of the people in my world and the beauty and drama of the natural world that surrounds me. Why do I make art? Because I have to. I make art because without the creative process my life would be totally flat.
What is good art? What makes a piece of art great?
For me, good art has to evoke an emotion, thought, or knowing that wasn't in me before. What makes a piece of art great is when the artist is passionate, has put in the time to hone their skills, and has a unique point of view. There's an "aha!" that the artist has experienced when completing their work and you can see and feel it.
What is the role of the artist today?
To create whatever you love.

 

This interview was published by Circle Foundation of the Arts. © CFA Press ∙ Images are courtesy of the artist